Edo 2024: Retired Perm Sec Joins Guber Race

A retired federal permanent secretary, Dr Ernest Umakhine, has joined the 2024 Edo State governorship race. He said his action was borne out of his desire to transform the state.

Umakhine, who is aspiring under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated this when he addressed his supporters on his arrival at the Benin Airport from Abuja, where he had gone to pick the party’s nomination form.

The aspirant said he had garnered the requisite experience during his career in the public service to excel if elected.

He said, “My antecedent spans various sectors of the Nigerian economy – national planning and budgeting. I was a permanent secretary, works and housing and of course agriculture, that was my last beat before I retired.

“In the course of this work, I have had extensive experience and connections with international development partners and locals.

“I was also at a time secretary to the National Economic Council (NEC) and in that position, I had interfaced with the 36 state governors and of course, the vice president and understands the working of the Nigerian economy and dovetailing into the subnational government,” he said.

The APC governorship aspirant also said he had touched the lives of many people, particularly farmers from the state while in service.

If elected governor, he said he would focus on road infrastructure, education, agriculture, women empowerment, youth development, as well as skills acquisition.